Janus Publishing Company, London, 1995 edition
'In the year 1879 there was touring this country the Rev. J. Berry, an agent for the New Zealand Government. He extolled the virtues of that country and advised people to emigrate to New Zeland and there make their fortunes. John Hillary, a shopkeeper in the small north-eastern town of Tow Law, listened to the blandishments of the reverend gentleman and being sure that only truth could come from such a source, decided that as New Zealand must be 'the promised land' he would act upon the advice given.'
The diary, reproduced exactly as written with comments added by the present John Hillary, paints a vivid and absorbing picture of the life and adventures of emigrants over 100 years ago, both on board ship and in the depression in New Zealand at that time. The second part of the book recounts the Hillary family's homeward journey by steamer only a few months after their arrival in New Zealand - having been unable to find work and the new life they had hoped for in 'the promised land....'